Don't waste food, please don't. (In observance of World Hunger Day May 28, 2026).

World Hunger Day, May 28, 2026

Don't waste food, please don't. 

Dr Abe V Rotor

Excessive serving leads to food waste. If not, obesity. Or both. 
Don't throw away food left on the table. Please don't.

• Food is Santa Gracia (holy grace) as old folks reverently call it.

• Food waste could otherwise go to millions who have not enough to eat.

• Food waste breeds pest and disease, sickens the air.

• Anything that goes to waste draws down the economy.

• Waste widens inequity in resources.

Here are some things to do with food leftovers.

1. Sinagag - fried rice mix with bits of bacon, ham, fried egg, fish, and the like.
2. Torta - tidbits like those mentioned in scramble egg. Include veggies like carrot and onion.
3. Pickle – excess veggies and fruits plus vinegar, sugar and salt, and spices. Good for carrot, bell pepper, cucumber, green papaya, yam (sinkamas), others.
4. Paksiw – if not consumed is fried, makes a new menu.
5. Daing – fish in season is dried, cooked with gata’ (coconut milk).
6. Suka – fruit vinegar from overripe pineapple, banana, others, but not tomato and kamias.
7. Pudding – bread not consumed on time is also made into pizza bread- bread crumbs, garlic bread.
8. Sopas – Grind bones, shrimp head for soup and broth. Bulalo for whole bone.
9. Pastillas – milk powder not consumed on time, also grated hardened cheese.
10. Veggie and fruit peelings – for animal feeds, composting. Include solids from brewing (coffee) and juicing fruits. Ultimately, inevitable food waste is collected for feeds in poultry and piggery.

Food waste also emanates from carelessness in handling, food preparation and serving. Much is also lost due to lack of proper processing, transport and storage facilities. Estimated loss in postharvest alone runs from 10 to 37 percent of actual harvest of crops.

In "Give us this day our daily bread..." in the Lord's Prayer, us here is regarded as thanksgiving and remembering the millions people around the world who may not have the food they need.

I believe in the wisdom of the old folk who reminds us of the value of food. They have experienced hunger during war, drought, flood, crop failure, pestilence - even in normal times. They have not lost sight of the presence ofSanta Gracia.

Yes, children there is a Santa Gracia . ~ 

PLASMOG - Plastic-Smoke-Fog (International Plastic-Free Day, May 25, 2026)

International Plastic-Free Day, May 25, 2026

PLASMOG

Plastic-Smoke-Fog

Triumvirate in the Air

Dr Abe  V Rotor

Former Professorial Lecturer, UST, DLSU-D, SPU-QC, UPHR

Plastic disintegrates, enters body via bloodstream

PLASMOG Plastic-Smoke-Fog - Triumvirate in the Air.

 

Detail of painting.  Plastic undergoing degradation into microplastic (dispersed into the air) and nanoplastic that enters the body through the lungs and bloodstream. 

Plasmog rules the sky at sunrise and sunset, robbing the joy of waking up and disturbing our peace at angelus and rest;

Plasmog covers the sky like a huge crown depriving us to marvel at the brightness of the sun, moon and stars; 

Plasmog deprives us to breath freely the freshness of air and breeze, enjoy watching the rainbow, the sparkle of dew and rain;

Plasmog hovers over cities trapping millions under a blanket of sick air

deleterious to health and well-being;

Plasmog settles nil and slow, leaving much of its unpleasant residues on our table, bedroom, parks and playground;

Plasmog recycles daily at increasing rate and coverage, picking up new and more pollutants in the process;

Plasmog exacerbates generation and accumulation of pollutants on land,

water, and air on a global scale;   

Plasmog is everywhere, in our home, school, garbage dump, landfill, traffic lanes, etc., in increasing presence; 

Plasmog degenerates in microplastic and nanoplastic, releases its basic components, independent of Nature's cycle;

Plasmog challenges human intellect and rationality, science, technology - philosophy, notwithstanding.  Are we killing ourselves?

Plasmog enters cells of living organisms through various means, such as bloodstream in animals and humans;   

Plasmog interferes with immunity and natural resistance, predisposing us to cancer,  kidney failure and other ailments;

Plasmog questions the relevance and sincerity of our religious faith, ideological values, under our seeming indifference;  

Plasmog urges us to reduce to a safe level this a by-product of our highly industrial world, for the sake of humanity;

Plasmogs robs us of Nature's beauty and the Good Life, all in the name of 

progress and affluence.

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ANNEX - Plastic-Smoke-Fog triumvirate

The "Plastic-Smoke-Fog triumvirate" describes the toxic atmospheric mix of microplastics, combustion smoke (like from wildfires or incinerators), and natural or industrial fog. This combination creates an insidious, hazardous haze that traps volatile chemicals and worsens global air quality. 

Plastic: Microplastics and nanoplastics constantly float through urban and rural air, often transported long distances by wind currents and sea spray. When plastic is burned, it releases persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and toxic micro-particulates.

Smoke: Smoke from unregulated plastic waste burning or wildfires contains a dangerous cocktail of chemicals, including dioxins, heavy metals, and styrene.

Fog: Fog droplets act as micro-reactors that can absorb these toxic airborne chemicals and trap particulate matter near the ground.  Acknowledgement Sources Wikipedia/Internet,

Hedgerow: Where Ecology and Agriculture Merge

Hedgerow: 

Where Ecology and Agriculture Merge 

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Boundary and waterway hedgerows; Contour hedgerows

 

Hedgerows on field boundaries are popular in Europe and countries where the original forest cover has been removed.  Hedgerows may develop into ecosystems through the years, in fact centuries.  Here, species composition - plants and animals - has reached homeostasis (dynamic balance). In advance cases, hedgerows have become natural forests.   

 

Hedgerows -   

 

•      serve as wildlife sanctuary

•      serve  as windbreak and shade

•      prototype agro-forest and orchard 

•      source of wood and fuel, other materials, 

•      cushion global warming, 

•      control erosion and siltation  

•      contribute to aesthetic beauty 

Hedgerows are living fences or boundary lines composed of closely planted shrubs, trees, flowers, and grasses. Far more than just property markers, they are highly biodiverse ecosystems essential for both traditional agriculture and environmental conservation. Acknowledgement with gratitude: Internet/Wikipedia

Rediscover the traditional methods of controlling pests.

Rediscover the traditional methods of controlling pests.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Try these old folks' ways of dealing with pests (10 practices):

1. Lantana (Lantana camara) is planted along field borders and fences to repel insects that destroy field crops. PHOTO

2. Makabuhay is chopped and scaterred in the rice field to control golden snail (kuhol) and insect pest.

3. Ground seed of botong (Barringtona asiatica) is used as fish poison.  It is applied in fishponds to get rid of the remaining fish before stocking them with fingerlings.

4.The sap of tubang bakod (Jatropha curcas) is used to control snail vector of Schistosomiasis, known as Oncomelana quadrasi.

5. Leaves of neem tree (Aziderachta asiatica) and kakawate (Gliricida sepium) are placed under sleeping mat to drive away bedbugs and fleas.  Powder made from dried leaves of these plants is effective against chicken lice and mites.

6. Eucalyptus trees PHOTO around the house keep off flies and mosquitoes.  The menthol smell of Eucalyptus adds freshness to the air.

7. Garlic and onions are planted with garden crops to repel insect pest.

8. Black pepper in teabags is safer than naphthalene balls in protecting clothes and books, including piano felt linings.

9. In capping (sealing) earthen jars containing wine that undergoes aging for a few months to as long as 10 years, use clay from anthill (punso).  Because the material is actually the excrement of termites, this will discourage them from attacking the cap and content of the jar.  PHOTO

10. To protect mungbeans (mungo or balatong Ilk)  from bean weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus), thoroughly dry some 8 to 10 ripe red pepper or labuyo and place them in a tea bag.  Place the bag inside the glass jar or plastic container in which the mungbean is stored.  Cover hermetically.  Effective protection against the pest is three to six months. Just be sure the mungbean is well dried (about 14 per cent moisture) before it is stored.

Continued

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Acknowledgement with gratitude: Internet photos; Living with Folk Widom, AV Rotor UST Publishing House 2008

"Eyes" of Cavendish banana sucker are removed to enhance its survival

"Eyes" of Cavendish banana sucker

are removed to enhance its survival.

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Ready-to-harvest Cavendish banana. 

Now this is a paradox, for how can a blind creature have a better chance to survive? But this traditional practice is not to be taken literally. Actually, the eyes being referred to are the developing buds on the sucker which are the equivalence of tillers. The scientific explanation is that, these young buds grow fast and compete with the transplanted sucker, drawing out the nutrients it needs. Thus "blinding" is actually aborting the buds, which appear like eyes on closer look. (Note: This practice is done only to Cavendish variety (bongolan or tumok Ilk, and not to other varieties.

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* Musa cavendishii, named after William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire in 1834 after receiving a shipment of bananas from Mauritius. 

References: Living with Folk Wisdom AV Rotor, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 2008; Internet photos

An Educational Visit to the Living with Nature Center

      An Educational Visit to the Living with Nature Center

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur (Heritage Zone of the North, RA 11645)

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." —Albert Einstein

Dr Abe V Rotor

 Philippine deer (Rusa marianna) is in the list of threatened 

wildlife species due mainly to hunting and loss of natural habitat. 

"We all have a responsibility to protect endangered species, both 

for their sake and for the sake of our own future generations.” 

– Loretta Lynch, the former United States Attorney General Feb 2, 2022

 

Marine fish species are threatened, both in population 

and biodiversity as a result of overfishing and pollution.

“Look closely at nature. Every species is a masterpiece, exquisitely adapted to the particular environment in which it has survived. Who are we to destroy or even diminish biodiversity? – EO Wilson, the late Edward O. Wilson, the world renowned biologist and multiple Pulitzer Prize winner.

 

Books written by Dr Abe V Rotor. The author also maintains a column in Bannawag Magazine, and two Blogs: avrotor.blogspot.com (Living with Nature) and Naturalism - the Eighth Sense

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, there is a rapture on the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the sea and music in its roar: i love not man less, but nature more" -Lord Byron

 

Original 18th Century Wine Cellar. Basi is produced

the traditional way since the Manila Galleon Trade

(1565–1815), and Basi Revolt of 1807 (September 16 

to 28, 1807).. Basi was one of the products traded to 

Europe via Acapulco, Mexico. 

 

Table wine from local fruits have been developed by the 

author. Twenty (20) orchard and wild fruits have been 

developed and tested using indigenous technology. 

"Wine has been a part of civilized life for some seven thousand years. It is the only beverage that feeds the body, soul and spirit of man and at the same time stimulates the mind..." - Robert Mondavi

 

Author with tourism coordinators Mike Escobar and Glenn de Peralta display samples of table wines produced at the 18th century wine cellar at San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.

"Wine speaks to all the senses: the eyes behold the color, tone, and shade; the nose, the bouquet, the fingers and lips caress the cool crystal; the ears delight in the subtle swishing of the liquid; the tongue rejoices in the reward of a rich harvest." - Mary Lou Posch, wine lover

 

Canadian guest recites a poem accompanied with Ilocano 

music the author played on the violin.  

“We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race” by Kofi Annan. 

 Erwan Heussaff (left), husband of artist Anne Curtis. is among house guests recently.

.  "Cultural revival is most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.” by John Hume. ~

Neighborhood children enjoy pastel drawing of nature as subject.

Author and guests pose with botanical specimens for study.

“Anything you teach in an indoor classroom can be taught outdoors, 

often in ways that are more enjoyable for children.” ~ Cathy James

Rip van Winkle Junior

Rip van Winkle Junior

Dr Abe V Rotor

A balikbayan was visiting his hometown. He wanted to relive his pleasant childhood. There is something irresistible, a homing instinct that draws many balikbayan to come home in the later years of their lives. Some wish to be buried in the town of their birth.

Rip Van Winkle, the legendary character in Washington Irving's short story of the same title.

His townmates called him Tatang, a courtesy to a much older person who is like a father. In fact Tatang means father. To earn this title is not easy.

“You must be part of the people,” a Filipino sociologist said. “And you must have the respectability and touch.” But the most important qualification he mentioned is that you have to have children of your own who call you tatang in the biological sense. In the case of Tatang Ramon, his title is sociological.

Which gives essence to the term kapamilya, connoting extended family. Indeed that’s how small the hometown of Tatang Ramon is. Kinship is by consanguinity, affinity and by being a kababayan, rolled in one.

Tatang Ramon felt easy with the people especially the children, and he felt reciprocated. Well, this is what you call touch. Tatang Ramon had the touch when he talked, even with a slight slang that gives an inkling he is a balikbayan from the states. He had the touch when greeting his kababayan and talking to them. And he had a good memory; he could relate people to one another, at least people in his generation, with something interesting about them.

He is indeed a balikbayan – he is bringing out beautiful memories weaving them with the happenings of a changing world. He even talked of post-modern living, giving emphasis to the prefix, to stress the fact that we are "living in the future." What with space exploration, the Internet and cloning - but he did not dwell much on these for fear he might not be understood.

One day Tatang Ramon found a young man scratching the ground with a stick. He was reminded of his bible. There is a part where Christ was meditating scratching the ground with a stick – which up to now no one knows what He wrote. Around him were angry people who were about to stone a woman to death because she committed a grave sin. Christ rose and said, “He who has no sin casts the first stone.” No one dared. The people left and Christ said to the woman, “Go and sin no more.”

Tatang Ramon approached the fellow who was seemingly in deep reflection. He didn’t know what attracted him to do so. Apparently the fellow was sad and lonely. He needed comfort, at least company. He was writing something on the ground which could not be deciphered. To his surprise, he found out that the fellow is the son of a classmate of his in the elementary.

“What’s you name, young man?” he asked

“Jun,” he quipped, “Jun po … Tang.” Short for tatang. And he talked about his father.

“Why, you look like your father.”

You can imagine how the two fell into a familiar conversation, such as what Tatang Ramon and Jun’s father Tatang Juan had in common, what they did in school, but more important what they did after school. Oh, they fished in the river, rode bicycle together, played sipa and competed in nearby towns. It’s a novel if you are patient to hear everything. Tatang Ramon cut the story, “…then I left for the states … finished college … raised a family … found a good job … my children are on their own now… and here I am, a balikbayan.”

Jun did not say a thing. He heard Tatang Ramon all right.

One qualification how the title Tatang is earned is to be able to advise effectively. Even if you are not a sociologist this is basic. And what do you think Tatang Ramon did?

He gave an unsolicited advice. He cleared his throat, sat beside Jun like a father should to a troubled son.

“You see Jun, when you finish college you will meet people and visit different places. You will find a good job. And you will free yourself from the cares and worries of the world.” He paused, waiting for a response. There was none.

“You will simply enjoy the leisure of life.” The balikbayan flashed a friendly grin, thinking he had driven well his point.

The simpleton momentarily stopped scratching the ground, looked at his new mentor and casually spoke.

“And what do you think I’m doing now, 'Tang?"

Tatang Ramon felt he does not deserve the title – what with Jun’s response?

His mind found solace in his readings. He realized Rip van Winkle is still alive. He is in our midst.

Rip van Winkle is the principal character of a short story of the same title written by Washington Irving in the late 17th century.

Rip van Winkle was a very lazy person, a henpeck husband who left home and went up the mountain on a leisurely hunting and did not return until twenty years later. He fell asleep for twenty long years!

“Who am I?” He asked the villagers when he found his way back to his village. Everything had changed, it was a new era. America was now an independent nation. Madam Winkle had long been gone. When he finally reached his old home, a young man was scratching the ground with a stick. His house was still there but was falling apart.

“I am Rip Van Winkle!” The old man cried. “Can’t anyone recognize me?” He paused and got closer to the young man and examined him from head to foot. He looked familiar. "And who are you?"

“I am Rip van Winkle,” came a wry answer.